Drug dealing hotspots to be flooded with police officers under Labour plan

19 February 2023 , 22:30

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Labour has promised to tackle scourge of drug dealing in town centres (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Drug dealing hotspots will be flooded with police officers under Labour plans to get tough on crime.

Official figures show more than a fifth of people (22%) believe drugs are a big problem in their area.

Yvette Cooper accused the Tories of allowing criminal gangs to deal drugs “on the streets, in town centres and even outside schools”.

The Shadow Home Secretary has pledged to introduce an extra 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs.

Labour will introduce “data-driven hotspot policing” targeted at common drug dealing sites to tackle gangs who are blighting communities.

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If figures showed a surge in reports of drug dealing in particular areas or at particular times, officers would be sent en masse to arrest and deter culprits.

Labour's Yvette Cooper wants to take on drug gangs (PA)

Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “Preventing crime and keeping our streets safe is personal for me. As director of public prosecutions, I locked up terrorists and dangerous criminals, and put victims first. As prime minister I’ll do the same.

"Thirteen years of Conservative rule have left our public services in tatters. Criminals have free rein, offences are skyrocketing, and this rudderless, tired government can’t get a grip.

“My Labour government will crack down on neighbourhood drug dealing, get tough on gangs and roll out hotspot policing to show criminals enough is enough. Funding 13,000 more police, we’ll end soaring crime in Tory Britain.

"For the safety of families across the country, it’s time for change.”

Ms Cooper added: “For too long the Conservatives have sat back and allowed criminal gangs to grow - dealing drugs on the streets, in town centres and even outside schools.

“Parents really worry about drug dealers hanging around the school gates or gangs trying to recruit kids into crime. We will make sure the police can swiftly target serious or dangerous hotspots to keep communities safe.

“Labour will crack down on the gangs with a tough new law to stop gangs exploiting and grooming children into crime. And we will deliver 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and PCSOs on our streets.”

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John Stevens